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Addiction

If you are even reading this page you are contemplating going on a journey towards recovery. Congratulations to you for taking the first step!

One of my specialties is working w/ clients who are recovering from alcohol and/or drug abuse, dependence and addiction. I find this work very exciting and gratifying. It’s an amazing experience to watch my clients travel through the stages of recovery and pull their lives together in ways they never dreamed of.

I have an inherent believe that all individuals can fight their addictions, become sober and turn their lives around. Often people are ambivalent about sobriety when they first come into counseling, and this is normal. However, once people see that they can do it, and take ownership for the process, recovery becomes easier and more natural.

Recovery from an addiction is a process, and each person’s journey is unique. That being said, I work with each individual mapping out a distinctive program that will work for them. Failure is a word that never comes into play – we experiment with different types of treatments until we find one that works.

There are many steps that come into play while getting sober, and together we will:

• Identify Triggers: What are the feeling or thoughts that trigger you to use alcohol and drugs? Many people self medicate. Do you use substances because you are depressed, anxious and stressed? Together we get behind these feelings and see if they come into play with your drug and alcohol use.

In addition to feelings, often people, places and things trigger people to use substances. We will work together to create a plan where we can identify some of these ‘bad habits’ and create healthier choices for you.

• Develop Coping Skills: How to get through the moments (cravings) when you want to use. We explore many options including exercise, meditation, deep breathing, changing activities, creating new hobbies. Different strokes for different folks. We fine tune your thinking (cognition)– examining old thinking (excused that you created why it is OK to use) and create new RATIONAL thinking.

• Create a Support System: Support systems can be friends, family, and the sober community. It’s important to find a community that supports you during this time and embraces your decision to be healthier. You may also need to seek treatment or check into a rehabilitative program, and together we explore this idea.

• Develop a Healthier Self Esteem: Addiction, recovery and self esteem go hand and hand. Recovery is hard work and I will serve as your coach as you go through this process – encouraging and pushing you through each phase. I have yet to see a client go through recovery who does not become filled with pride. Esteem able acts build esteem. Do this hard work and you’ll see huge changes in yourself, and they will make you proud!